Luke 2:1

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Little did Caesar know that in God’s historical plan it was now the fullness of time. (Galatians 4:4) Within the next few short decades the world would be turned upside down by the impact of one little baby born at the time of this royal decree. At that time many people would have considered him just another baby boy whose potential contribution to the world was actually diminished because He was a Jew. But this was to be a man for all peoples. The impact of His birth would be felt in the halls of Caesar’s palace and eventually among every people within the Roman world.

Praise the Lord for sending His Son to impact every nation, even nations like Yemen that currently resist His divine will.

Northern Yemeni Arabs

by CL

Yemen has been described as “deeply fractured” and on the brink of becoming a failed nation. North Yemen and South Yemen were only united into one country in 1989. When pro-democracy protests swept across North Africa into the Middle East in 2011, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh responded by promising to end his three decades in office and hand over power to his son. The Northern Yemenis weren’t buying it. The demand for reform continued, and it still continues today. Pro and anti-government demonstrations have continued for months. In their attempts to stop the protests, security forces fired on demonstrators, increasing the bitter demand for change. Eventually, Saleh was attacked and had to flee to Saudi Arabia.
While this time of upheaval may be dangerous and politically motivated, is it possible that this could also be a time for the Yemeni peoples to hear and respond to the gospel? Uncertainty often causes people to consider their lives, the concept of death, and the possibility of judgment and eternity. This could be the day of their salvation.

Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to the northern Yemeni people. Ask Him to use this unprecedented season of unrest to open blind minds to the gospel. Ask the Lord to use radio, satellite television, and the Internet to draw Northern Yemenis into a relationship with His only Son. There is a high percentage of young people in this part of Yemen. Pray that they will turn to Christ.